SADC TROIKA MEETING: A SADC OPPORTUNITY TO DEMAND THE RELEASE OF PUDEMO PRESIDENT

Swaziland Solidarity Network [SSN] PRESS STATEMENT
March 19, 2009

SADC TROIKA MEETING:
A SADC OPPORTUNITY TO DEMAND THE RELEASE OF PUDEMO PRESIDENT MARIO MASUKU


The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) notes the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation meeting to be presided over by the deceptive Swaziland King Mswati III in Mbabane. The meeting is set to discuss the political developments in Madagascar.


SSN considers this a major travesty, occasioning cynicism of the worst kind, in which one dictator will preside over an attempt to position SADC on the restoration of constitutional democracy in Madagascar.


King Mswati whose country does not enjoy the basic right to a popularly demanded democratic constitution is throwing eggs in SADC face, by hosting this meeting with Pudemo President Mario Masuku still incarcerated since 14 November 2009.


The current situation in Madagascar, forewarned by major social uprisings, results directly from Ravalomanana’s reform of the law on political parties and eventually brazing himself to militarily crush the peoples demonstrations. His actions bear striking similarity to authoritarian projects of Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Mswati in Swaziland. For his part Mswati has crushed all ideals of democracy and freedom, is starving his own people and is married to this doctrine of violations with impunity.


President Motlanthe made an important call to the political leaders in Madagascar, “to resolve their differences through negotiations aimed at ensuring that a solution is found, which is constitutional and will restore peace and stability on the island, as a matter of priority”.


This call should be directed against the hypocrisy of King Mswati, to release all political prisoners including Mario Masuku, to hold direct negotiations with PUDEMO and all political parties, to make way for multiparty democracy based on a new popular democratic constitution.


In reiterating our full support of the people of Madagascar and Swaziland and their right to confront the dictatorship by waging popular demands, we wish to call on SADC to use the opportunity to raise concerns to King Mswati and protest for the release of Mario Masuku.


ISSUED BY THE SSN SECRETARY GENERAL SIKHUMBUZO THOMO


For more information contact
Lucky Lukhele - SSN Spokesperson
Cell: 072 502 4141